High Peaks Cyclery of Lake Placid is sponsoring the second annual Adirondack Rock Climbing Rendezvous the weekend of September 28-30. The agenda includes climbing clinics, tours of local cliffs, slide shows, and music.

Colin Loher, a climbing guide and one of the organizers, said the goals of the three-day rendezvous are to promote safe climbing and to celebrate the region’s  natural resources – “the  vast constellation of cliffs, walls, and precipices that bejewel the Adirondack Park.”

Not to mention have some fun.

The first night of the rendezvous will feature a slide show/talk by Jim Lawyer, co-author of Adirondack Rock, an acclaimed guidebook. Lawyer has climbed all over the country and the globe and has created a website, Jimbo’s World, to document in his adventures. Kevin “MudRat” MacKenzie will speak on Saturday night. He is known for first ascents in the remote Panther Gorge and his many slide climbs.

Both talks will be at the Horse Show Grounds in Lake Placid, starting at 7:30 pm. The $20 fee will help defray the cost of the rendezvous. On both Friday and Saturday nights, there also will be live music, games, and food and drink at the horse-show grounds. Click here for the line-up of Adirondack bands.

The climbing clinics will be on Saturday and Sunday. Clinic topics include Intro to Rock Climbing, Basic Self Rescue, Lead Climbing 101, and and Top Rope Setup. Click here for a full list of topics. For those who didn’t pre-register, the cost of a clinic is $120.

On Sunday, locals will introduce climbers to the Silver Lake cliffs northeast of Wilmington. These tours are not guided; participants should be able to lead or follow 5.10 routes. There is a suggested donation of $70. This money will go to the Adirondack Climbers Coalition and the state’s high-angle rescue team.

Loher hopes the rendezvous will bring attention to the climbers coalition, which formed last year. The coalition works with state land managers to protect natural resources, maintain access to cliffs, and educate the public about climbing. Loher is on the coalition’s board.

NOTE: The post has been updated to reflect that Kevin “MudRat” MacKenzie will replace Matt McCormick as the Saturday night speaker. McCormick will not be able to attend.

Photo of Jim Lawyer provided.